Sunday, December 28, 2014

Jobs for Filipinos in South Korea in 2015

Korea is one of the most sought after destination of Filipinos to work. Aside from the promising salary, Korea is also famous in the Philippines because of Kpop and the Korean drama. The image of Korea shown in the media entices Filipinos to go to Korea and work. However, one must know that there is only very limited job market for foreigners in Korea. You have to compete with the Koreans who were trained and educated to obtain skills necessary and intended for Korean corporation. Learning the language alone is very challenging and yes, difficult. Language is one of the most important qualifications here in Korea, unless otherwise you'll teach English, the knowledge in Korean language is a must to get a job.

Hopeless as it may sounds. Korea is not completely burning bridges for foreigners who want to work in the country. There are several opportunities especially for Filipinos for the year 2015 and the upcoming years. This is a sign that Korea is becoming open to the idea of letting Filipinos to penetrate in their job market. As of now, there are limited opportunities but if you find yourself fit in the position, the next step would be to market yourself to Korean companies so you could pack your back and go to Korea and work.

As of this year, there are total of almost 50,000 Filipinos in Korea and there are a lot of undocumented stayers that are not included in that number. Now, let's look at the possible jobs that Filipinos can acquire in Korea for the year 2015.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As you can see, this blogpost has been flooded with questions. I could no longer answer questions here. If you have questions, CLICK HERE to see if it has been answered in the FAQ. If not, just leave your question in the comment box of that page.

1. Factory WorkerUPDATE:CLICK THIS LINKFOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF POEA FOR KLT 13

Based on the statistics, most Filipinos are here in Korea to work as a Factory worker or in manufacturing industry. Through the program called Exam Permit System or EPS, foreigners including Filipinos can apply a job in the manufacturing industry. To apply as a factory worker, you must be between 18 and 38 years old, you should have no records of imprisonment for a heinous crime, no record of deportation or departure orders from Korea, must not be restricted from departure from Philippines, must be physically and mentally fit, at least a high school graduate and with a minimum work experience of 1 year.How to apply as a Factory Worker in Korea?

You MUST ONLY apply at POEA or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. You should not apply to any agency or any person for this. This is a direct agreement between Korea and Philippines so all transaction must be done right within POEA. If somebody or an agency is recruiting you for this, please double check. Wait for an announcement from POEA website for the Korean Language Test. There is no specific date for this, POEA announces this at any random dates within the year. Usually, they conduct KLT in the Philippines 2 to 3 times a year. You better watch out for the announcement, keep checking POEA website so you could register yourself.

Once you passed the Korean Language Test, POEA will further instruct you to provide requirements for the selection process. The total cost for job seekers from taking the language exam to your departure would be around 30, 000 pesos to 40, 000 pesos. The salary also depends on the number of hours you work in the company. For a minimum wage, salary may range from 35,000 pesos to 40,000 pesos. If you work overtime and you work hard enough, you may get up to 70,000 pesos salary as a factory worker.

You can read full information on How to Apply as Factory Worker in Korea HERE.

2. Engineers

If you have the right skill and up for the competition, you may land on an engineering job here in Korea. There are a lot of good Korean engineers, but Korea is also open to Filipino engineers who are very exemplary in their field of expertise. In fact, there are several Filipino engineers here in Korea. According to the statistics, out of more than 50,000 Filipinos in Korea (including illegal stayers), there are 787 E-7 Visa holders or professionals working here and that includes the Filipino Engineers. It's very small compared to the more than 20,000 factory workers but still, it's a good sign that Filipino engineers are welcome to work in Korea, albeit tough and restricted. Needless to say that it needs a very remarkable skill to work as an engineer and Korea can still accept more workers in this field for the year 2015.

3. Arts and Performances

Filipino talents are being admired by Koreans. Singers, theatre actors and other skills in terms of arts and performances are very much welcome here in Korea. Korea is open for Filipino entertainers since then and it continues to welcome more and more entertainers as time goes by. So the year 2015 could be a good year for those who are into arts and performances. Usually, you can apply for this through agencies in the Philippines. Just always make sure that the agency is legal and credited by the POEA.

Other possible jobs for Filipinos in Korea for the year 2015 are Professors, Researchers, and household workers, but there could be a slim chance for these jobs for Filipinos as Korea prefers other foreign workers or their own native Koreans to take over the job. There are several Filipinos working in these fields but you can count them with your fingers, so this might not be a job market for Filipinos.

Korea is a beautiful country and it is possible to come here and work. You just have to improve yourself and update your skills to keep up with the competition. In the year 2015, Korea is planning to hire more Filipinos especially in the field of manufacturing because they like the handiwork of Filipinos and their attitude when it comes to work. Hoping for a bright future for Korea and for the Filipinos who will venture to find a job in the country.

Hello and good day Sir..... =^_^=I'm wondering if you have list or you know an agencies here in the Philippines where I can go?I want to apply as a singer or a dancer..... Actually me and my 2 friends have plans in applying as a singer on a hotel in Korea. They told me that we are going directly to Korean embassy for screening. Then suddenly they just backed out. But I'm still willing to pursue my application...Is there anything you can suggest? Thank you Sir... I'm also willing to apply for factory worker position.... I just don't know what to do and where to go.... God bless Sir...

Hi Rolando, no need to apply here. I am not authorized to accept any application for factory workers in korea. Please go to POEA and inquire for the next examination schedule because you can only apply for work here in Korea through POEA as a factory worker.

hello... depende siguro sa mapupuntahan mong company.. the process of hiring as a factory worker here is that once you passed the language test, you will be enlisted..your photo and your info will then be sent to HRD KOrea for selection In short, one of the impression na babasehan sa pagselect is your photo. Mas makakabuti siguro na you should dress and look like a man..tapos pg nandito ka na, saka mo oobserbahan kung ok lang ba sa company nyo that you will look like a girl..depende din siguro sa environment..I hope napanood mo yong link na naishare ko.. I am sure makakrelate ka dun

Usually 3 years ang contract plus 1 year and 10 months kung gusto ka ng sajangnim mo. in total, 4 years and 10 months. As for the korean language, it depends on your area. Try to ask the TESDA office in your area if they offer Korean language class. If wala, you may need to enroll in private classes which costs more.

hi.. modesty aside, hindi ako nagenroll noon sa mga klanguage class kasi namamahalan ako sa bayad. I passed the exam na nagself study lang ako for one month. I used the power of internet.. Here are my tips on how to pass the exam with just self study:

Thank you very much for the response sir. :) Tanggap ko na po na hindi ako included sa list. I will wait nalang for the next survey. I will monitor nalang po yung website nyo at ng poea. I'm just hoping that they will accept again female participants. Sir pls do update or inform us if magpapasurvey na po ulit a week before the survey. Para po hindi rush minsan. Last time po kasi nung nakita ko yung survey, that

Good to hear the ff. probablity for not been on the list, but how will they explain, some names listed where from 11klt, and dont even respond the survey!?otherwise errors on their system? As Ive known 100 plus, were not on the master list! Ako mismo, nag respond but not on the list....Maawa nman poea sa amin, it only happen twice year...

hi xian, the only way to know is through POEA website. If you are active in fb, find a way to join groups related to filipino in korea kasi minsan may mga nagpopost din dun ng info. Search also a forum called Sulyapinoy... marami ka din malalaman dun

hello..age limit po is 38... Ang work po dito sa korea is 3D, that means dirty, dangerous and demeaning. While some jobs can be done by differently abled individuals, ang magiging problema nyo dyan is ang medical, kasi the doctor will check you physically and they will have to conclude if fit to work or not. Alam mo naman pag physical exam lahat talga chinicheck and I doubt it kung papayagan ka ng doctor to work in a 3d type of jobs sa condition mo.

Hi Maine, I think you should have asked kung may mag iisponsor ba sa isang fresh elementary teacher graduate? Kung meron po kau nahanap na school to sponsor you, then it's ok. You need to get an E2 visa for that.

However, there's really discrimination at work here in korea. Usually, korea hires English teachers, if you are not an english teacher, you may have a slim chance to get a teaching job here in Korea. And one of their requirements for an English teacher is that he/she should be a native English speaker.